Spain Badajoz Cáceres - Tourismbrochures.net

Church of Santísimo Cristo
del Humilladero in Azuaga
the way to Salvatierra de los
Barros, known as the town of the
potters, where almost every street
has a workshop or store devoted
to this activity.
Even before arriving in Feria, we
can already glimpse from afar the
imposing 15th century castle
presiding over the town. The next
stop is Zafra, known as “Little
Seville”, with its charming Plaza
Grande and Plaza Chica, and the
Church of La Candelaria with an
altarpiece by Zurbarán and
another by Churriguera.
In Jerez de los Caballeros,
(“caballeros” means knights)
capital of the Order of the Knights
Templar, the last knights of this
powerful order refused to
surrender and were beheaded.
Along the narrow streets of the
town, a rich and varied sample of
history and art awaits the visitor.
Also under the Knights Templar
was Fregenal de la Sierra,
where the 13th century fortress,
the Church of Santa María and the
plazas of Abasto and Toros form
an impressive assemblage.
Passing by Bodonal de la Sierra,
Segura de León and Cabeza la
Vaca, the road winds up to the
Monastery of Tentudía, with
splendid views and an interesting
Mudéjar cloister from the 16th
century. Descending again, the
next town is Calera de León,
where the Conventual
Santiaguista can be visited.
Monesterio is a good place to
stock up on cold cuts before
heading to Fuente de Cantos,
birthplace of the celebrated
painter Zurbarán.
Taking the N-432 west, we reach
Llerena and enter into the
Campiña Sur. Llerena, the Arab
town of Ellerina, was the seat of
the Holy Office and has fine
examples of Mudéjar and baroque
art. On the way to Fuente del
Arco, almost at the border with
Andalusia, is Casas de Reina. In
the outskirts we find the Roman
Theater of Regina. Azuaga was a
very important place due to its
privileged location as a
passageway between Andalusia
and Extremadura in Roman times.
Crossing La Campiña, we head
east to Hornachos, at the foot of
the sierra of the same name,
habitat for birds of prey.
Cave paintings and a 5th century
fortress are testimony of an
interesting past. In Villafranca
de los Barros, famous for its
sweets and needlework, we take
the N-630 to return to
Almendralejo.
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